| "City ravaged by chain explosions...chemical | | | | washing. Store a 3-5 day supply of water (a |
| company razed...oil refineries explode and | | | | minimum of at least 5 gallons for each person). |
| burn...utilities disrupted...water supply condemned | | | | A clean water supply is also essential for fighting |
| after a fire broke out on a freighter in port." | | | | disease and medical emergencies. For example, |
| "Power outage sparks one of the worst water | | | | any loss of blood increases our water intake |
| crises in the city's history as all four water pumps | | | | requirements substantially. |
| go down at once." | | | | Bottled water is helpful and easy, but it may not |
| "Seven people dead and 2,300 ill after one of the | | | | always be available. For example, if both the |
| town's wells becomes contaminated with E. Coli." | | | | water infrastructure and transportation system |
| These headlines are not the result of terrorist | | | | are unusable, deliveries of bottled water and other |
| activities. Accidents, lack of training and expertise | | | | supplies might be difficult if not impossible. What |
| and equipment failure brought about these | | | | would you do when your bottled water supply ran |
| disasters, which highlight the vulnerability of our | | | | out? What if the local stores ran out or the |
| water systems. If these types of incidents were | | | | supply was contaminated? This kind of scenario |
| purposely carried out by terrorists, the loss and | | | | could easily happen in a major hurricane, |
| destruction could be far worse. Our nation's water | | | | earthquake or terrorist attack. There are several |
| systems can be disrupted and are potential | | | | things that you can do to prepare for this |
| targets for terrorism. | | | | eventuality. |
| J. Edgar Hoover, in 1941, warned that our water | | | | First, become knowledgeable and file the |
| systems were potentially vulnerable targets. | | | | necessary information where it will be readily |
| Because they are critical to our way of life and | | | | available in an emergency, such as in your |
| the economic viability of our country, Presidential | | | | emergency kit. There are plenty of resources |
| Directive 63 (May 1998) identified our nation's | | | | available to help you prepare. |
| water systems as one of the eight critical | | | | To start, check the Department of Homeland |
| infrastructures subject to attack by terrorists. | | | | Security, FEMA and CDC websites for emergency |
| Reducing Our Vulnerability | | | | preparation information. |
| Much has been done to improve security and | | | | Second, in addition to the recommended three |
| reduce our vulnerability since the 9/11 terrorist | | | | day supply of food and water, consider storing |
| attacks in the United States. We have struck | | | | additional water in larger storage tanks or drums |
| back at terrorism militarily. Congress has passed | | | | in the garage, basement or storage shed. Plastic |
| several landmark pieces of legislation. The | | | | water storage tanks and drums, which are |
| Department of Homeland Security was | | | | generally recommended, are relatively inexpensive. |
| established. Industries, businesses and critical | | | | An additional 200 gallons of water storage would |
| sections of the infrastructure, including water | | | | extend your water supply to 200 days for one |
| suppliers, have done vulnerability studies and | | | | person or 50 days for a family of four. Make sure |
| continue to implement strategies to reduce their | | | | to also have an emergency kit in your car as you |
| vulnerability. | | | | might not be at home when an emergency |
| Impacts of Hurricane Katrina | | | | situation occurs. |
| Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 are a perfect | | | | Third, be sure to include some simple water |
| example of a major water and wastewater | | | | disinfectant tools available so that you can make |
| system disruption. Thousands of people were | | | | use of any available raw water supplies. One such |
| directly impacted for months and many still have | | | | disinfectant is common, unscented, liquid, |
| not returned to the affected areas. | | | | household bleach. |
| According to a Congressional Research Service | | | | Several simple techniques for disinfecting water |
| Report for Congress dated October 19, 2005, the | | | | are listed below. |
| EPA estimated that more than 1,220 drinking | | | | Boiling-Boil vigorously for one minute. At altitudes |
| water systems and more than 200 wastewater | | | | above one mile, boil for three minutes. |
| treatment facilities in Louisiana, Mississippi and | | | | Chlorine Bleach-When boiling is not practical, |
| Alabama had been impacted by the hurricane. | | | | chemical disinfection should be used. The two |
| The same CRS report notes that two weeks | | | | chemicals commonly used are chlorine and iodine. |
| after the hurricane, 30% of the affected drinking | | | | When the available chlorine in the bleach is known |
| water systems and 40% of the affected | | | | use the following ratios:1% - 10 drops per quart, 4 |
| wastewater facilities were again operational. | | | | to 6% - 2 drops per quart, 7 to 10% - 1 drop |
| However, many of the inoperable drinking water | | | | per quart, if unknown use 10 drops per quart. If |
| and wastewater plants serve the largest number | | | | water is cloudy or the water temperature is |
| of customers. | | | | extremely cold double, the amount of chlorine. |
| Federal, state and local agencies shipped in bottled | | | | Tincture of Iodine-Common household iodine from |
| water and bulk water supplies. For instance, one | | | | the medicine chest or first aid kit may be used to |
| company (Anheuser-Busch) donated more than | | | | disinfect water. Add five drops of 2 percent |
| two million cans of water per week to the Katrina | | | | United States Pharmacopeia (U.S.P.) Tincture of |
| relief efforts in September 2005. | | | | iodine to each quart of clear water. For cloudy |
| Citizen Preparedness | | | | water add ten drops and let the solution stand for |
| However, since we are still vulnerable, how would | | | | at least 30 minutes. |
| the citizens of this country react to a prolonged | | | | Fourth, there are a variety of small, portable |
| disruption of their water supply? The Hurricane | | | | water decontamination units specially made for |
| Katrina disaster in New Orleans gives us an idea. | | | | hikers and backpackers. These units are designed |
| Many area water and wastewater systems were | | | | to take raw water from streams or lakes and |
| disrupted for days, weeks or months. Water and | | | | make it potable. |
| food supplies had to be brought in for months | | | | Having one or two of these units per family of |
| afterward. | | | | four is an excellent option. Plus, including one of |
| The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), | | | | these units in your emergency automobile kit is |
| Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) | | | | also recommended. |
| and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) | | | | Much of what is being done to protect our water |
| recommend having at least a three day supply of | | | | supply can only really be effective if Americans |
| food and water per person to cope with any | | | | themselves become informed and aware. The |
| emergency. The minimum drinking water | | | | American Water Works Association (AWWA) |
| suggested supply is 1 gallon per person per day. | | | | notes, "In many cities and small towns, the public |
| The US Army Survival Manual uses an absolute | | | | is the first line of defense, serving as an extra |
| minimum of 2 quarts per day per person in a cold | | | | set of eyes watching over key utility assets such |
| climate and much more in a hot climate. Activity | | | | as tanks, reservoirs and even fire hydrants." This |
| level also affects your water intake requirement. | | | | first line of defense also extends to our families |
| In addition, you also need water for food | | | | and communities by being prepared for a water |
| preparation, bathing, brushing teeth and dish | | | | system disruption. |